Clear Lake is the name of a natural spring fed body of water located in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa near Clear Lake, Iowa. It is approximately in size. It is a popular fishing destination, with walleye , yellow bass and channel catfish. People from Des Moines and Minneapolis–Saint Paul have had homes on the shores of the lake since the 1870s. The average depth is and the maximum depth is , in the dredged area of the west end. The lake has of shoreline. As of 2004, the lake has seen major efforts undergone to restore its natural clarity, including filtration systems, dredging, and education of local farmers to reduce toxic pesticides from entering the lake. Clear Lake has been named the "Best Iowa Lake Town" by The Des Moines Register and "A Top Vacation Spot" by Midwest Living magazine. Boating Clear Lake is home to the Clear Lake Yacht Club, a sailing club in downtown Clear Lake, Iowa. Many members race and equally informally cruise the lake. Each weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the course is set on the main basin of the lake and boats can be seen racing for miles. Another sailing main stay is the Cougar Bay beach. The beach was home to 60 to 100 Catamaran sailboats during the summer months. Clear Lake is the highest point in Cerro Gordo County, making wind always common on the water, and therefore a sailor's paradise. The Lady of the Lake is a steamboat- like cruising boat that often cruises all over the lake. Water skiing, wake boarding, tubing, and many other behind boat sports are common all over the lake. Notable Places Clear Lake is dotted with several different landmarks for orientation on the water. Woodford Island is often visible from every point on the lake, making it a navigational aid. A hotel was located on the island until a fire leveled it in the 1930s. Now the island is mostly made up of trees and many other plants. Lone Tree Point, Farmers Beach, and Mcintosh Woods are also very natural, with many trees and beaches and few buildings. Notable lakeside communities include the city of Clear Lake, the smaller city of Ventura, Bayside, Dodges Point, Buzzards Bay, Tanglefoot, and Bell Harbor. The city of Clear Lake is at the eastern side of the lake and is home to many of the lake's attractions including